Digital+Textbook

__**Definition**__: Digital textbooks are electronic versions of traditional print textbooks used in schools and colleges. In addition to the normal features found in a conventional textbook, the digital textbook often provides additional audio and video resources to help the reader assimilate the information contained in the text. __**Best Practices**__: Digital textbooks allow students to not only read the text, but also link to video and audio clips to enhance learning. Teachers should learn about the technology and think of creative ways to integrate it into the classroom. For a history lesson, you could use the digital textbook to read about how a seed grows and than watch a time elapsed video of a seedling growing. Some teachers feel it would be a distractions because students would have quick access to the internet. If these textbooks are provided by the school, there could be a block on certain websites are apps, so students can't play games or go to inappropriate sites. I feel the best way to use digital textbooks is to use them on a limited basis, allowing for access to the internet for certain subjects, but also keeping your students involved in a lesson plans. __**Websites:**__ Tablets vs. Textbooks, Pros and Cons. - This website is a great resource to view the pros and cons of using digital textbooks. A chart on the page shows side by side comparisons that are easy to understand. This site also references statistics and quotes from professional educators. Towards the bottom of the webpage, there are links to videos if people being interviewed regarding digital textbooks and there effect on education. Data for digital technology. - This website does not have an article to read, but it is a series of graphs that explains the present use of digital textbooks and what the future may hold for them. This resource is a good place to go in order to see statistics of the cost approach between textbooks and digital textbooks. It also describes many of the benefits of using digital textbooks or tablets instead of regular textbooks. Digital Textbook Example. - This website is a promotional tool to get educators to view a digital textbook. It shows examples of the different features these textbooks have and how to use them. The site is a good way for educators to get an idea of what they will be dealing with in regards to a digital textbook and how it can save them time on class preparation for a lesson plan. Administrators, teachers, parents and students are given the chance to experience what a digital textbook can offer and the different help options for the students. Digital Textbook Preview. - This is a link to a YouTube video which shows Pearson, a printing company, describing what a digital textbook is. This site shows some of the benefits on how it can be used and how it can help students understand a subject, such as geometry. Pearson, known for there print textbooks, is moving into the digital era of learning and expanding their products to the digital world.